Dear Editor,
In the midst of the hubbub, it must be asked: Does an election announcement, election process, and election result matter in this republic? Is there a difference in the existence of despairing citizens in the absence of constitutional reform? Genuine, far-reaching constitutional reform? I share my struggles on this.
In a nutshell, the existing constitution renders invulnerable the rulers, while it tethers the people. It is alternately a short leash, an unbreakable cruel leash. The current constitution is both sword and shield for corrupt rulers, and shovel and front-end loader to dig a hole first, and then bury the nation. Here is the crux.
This constitution is so sweeping in scope, so protective of the ruling class, and so enfeebling of the ruled classes that no political participant has the least interest in tampering with the thing. Not the least interest, not any of them; despite all the palaver, not a single one of the barefoot political aristocracy, be it ruling party, or opposition parties. It is just too self-serving and too self-perpetuating; it provides cover for rogues and racists pretending to be redeemers; and makes political groups indistinguishable from criminal enterprises.
Editor, to cut a real fine point on this, I am compelled to introduce the personal. I consider myself a more principled person than most, if not all, of the local political people. Having said this, I would not trust myself near to this beloved constitution that is the source of so much misgiving. I could end up adoring, embracing, and worshipping the thing as untouchable, and the epitome of all that is sacrosanct. I may have serious difficulty amending anything, just like today’s political crowd. Other citizens with even stronger ethics have expressed similar feelings of potential weakness.
Thus, the questions arise, which domestic political denizen is capable of doing better? Which present political player – government or opposition – possesses the conscience, the patriotic fervour, and a love for the people to run where the brave dare not go, and chisel this monument to Guyanese ingenuity? Which one? And therein resides dilemma, albatross, and continuing nightmare.
Thus I persist in querying: Can this election, or any other, really mean anything in this country? For its part, the ruling PPP was/is always loud and proud to point to rigged elections. But it is most comfortable and exceedingly contented to be an accessory to those fraudulent times and results, by enjoying the most poisoned fruit – namely, the constitution. Burnham is cursed, and still they walk in his shoes and live in his clothes. The great irony is that the PPP are his children, and part of the Burnham mystique.
Even if – it is a formidable if – this constitution was to be meaningfully amended, to where it becomes a treasured parchment of sacred national scripture, there looms another ominous barrier: It is the mountain range of faithful implementation. Are there those in the political class who can be trusted to do so? I believe not.
In the meantime, the circus caravan of elections journeys merrily along in a raucous tirade. Oh, there promises to be lots of histrionics, much movement, and plenty of venom, only for the nation to discover that it is in exactly the same place as before. And it is a terrible place for regardless who wins, the Guyanese people lose.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
